▪ I. peckle, n. Obs. exc. dial.
(ˈpɛk(ə)l)
[Reduced from speckle; but cf. peckled.]
A spot, a speckle. Also attrib., as peckle-head, a partridge.
| 1570 Levins Manip. 47/19 A Peckle, macula. Ibid. 125/29 A Peckil, macula. 1688 R. Holme Armoury ii. 311/1 A Partridge [is called], first a Peckle-Head. 1884 Chesh. Gloss., Pecka or Peckle, a freckle. |
▪ II. peckle, v.1 Obs. exc. dial.
(ˈpɛk(ə)l)
[f. as prec.]
trans. To speckle.
| 1570 Levins Manip. 47/23 To Peckle, maculare. 1580 Hollyband Treas. Fr. Tong, Picoter, to peckle, to pricke thicke, to specke. 1611 Cotgr., Grivoler, to peckle, or speckle; to spot with diuers colours. [Still in Cheshire and South Lancash. Eng. Dial. Dict.] |
▪ III. peckle, v.2 rare.
(ˈpɛk(ə)l)
[dim. or freq. of peck v.1]
trans. To peck slightly or repeatedly.
| [a 1500 Colkelbie Sow 912 (Bann. MS.) Hir best brod hen callit lady Pekle pes.] a 1810 in Cromek Rem. Nithsdale Song 245 (Jam.) Come, byde wi' me, ye pair o' sweet birds,..Ye sall peckle o' the bread an' drink o' the wine. 1827 Hood Mids. Fairies v, And all [birds] were tame And peckled at my hand where'er I came. |